Deck 2: Hardware and Software

Question 1

An operating system is a set of programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with applications.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Utility programs help to perform maintenance, correct problems, merge and sort sets of data, keep track of computer jobs, and compress data files.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The primary function of application software is to apply the power of the computer to enable people, workgroups, and the entire enterprise to solve problems and perform specific tasks.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The need for additional data storage capacity is one of the factors driving the growth in data centers.

Question 5

Suppose your friend, who is a small business owner, wants to computerize her business functions such as accounting, payroll, and inventory management. She would need to purchase separate software to meet each functional requirement.

Question 6

A command-based user interface employs icons and menus that people use to send commands to the computer system.

Question 7

Corporate executives often object to the use of open-source software because it lacks formal technical support, even though information and solutions regarding the software are usually readily available online.

Question 8

Some smartphones allow you to take notes and to "write" emails or text messages by speaking into the phone . These are examples of speech-recognition technology.

Question 9

A software suite is a collection of programs packaged together as a bundle and typically includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, graphics program, and more.

Question 10

As the difference among computer manufacturers in the areas of price and performance narrows, support for green computing is emerging as a new business strategy for these companies to distinguish themselves from the competition.

Question 11

Operating systems provide a measure of security by allowing users to access to those resources they've been cleared to use as well as other users' resources if those resources are beneficial.

Question 12

Each programming language has a set of rules, called the program code of the language.

Question 13

You have lots of images on your hard drive totaling 500 million bytes. A 2 Gigabyte storage device will be adequate to store those photos

Question 14

If a large organization wants software that will benefit the entire organization-what's known as enterprise application software-the organization must develop it specifically for the business in order to get the functionality required.

Question 15

In a typical computer configuration, secondary storage has a much larger capacity than the volatile random access memory.

Question 16

The operating system's application programming interface (API) provides software developers with tools they use to build application software without needing to understand the inner workings of the operating system and hardware.

Question 17

Solid state storage devices (SSDs) store data in hard disk drives or optical media rather than memory chips.

Question 18

Most operating systems support virtual memory which allocates space on the hard disk to supplement the immediate, functional memory capacity of RAM.

Question 19

Depending on the brand of tablet you purchase, you may be able to enter data by typing on a keyboard, writing on the screen with a stylus, or speaking into the tablet's microphone.

Question 20

A liquid crystal display (LCD) functions by exciting organic compounds with electric current to produce bright and sharp images.

Question 21

If 10 users can run programs at the same time on the same computer, it is known as multi-tasking.

Question 22

An example of a common hardware function performed by the operating system is presenting information on a monitor or printer.

Question 23

Proprietary software is mass-produced by software vendors to address needs that are common across businesses, organizations, or individuals.

Question 24

The operating system converts a basic user request into the set of detailed instructions that the computer hardware requires, thus acting as an intermediary between the application and the hardware.

Question 25

Thin client computers are a type of portable single-user computers.

Question 26

Utility programs are used to perform system maintenance, such as repairing errors on a hard drive, improving system security, and optimizing sluggish system processes.

Question 27

RAM stands for random access memory; a form of memory that holds its contents even if the current is turned off or disrupted.

Question 28

A single computer can be used by a single user or by multiple, simultaneous users.

Question 29

Bioprinting, which uses 3D printers to build human parts and organs from actual human cells, is widely considered to be unethical.

Question 30

The scope of green computing is limited to the efficient and environmentally responsible design and manufacture of all types of computers.

Question 31

Software can be divided into two types: operating software and application software.

Question 32

An embedded system is a computer system that is implanted in and dedicated to the control of another device.

Question 33

Software as a Service (SaaS) refers to the use of computing resources, including software and data storage, on the Internet rather than local computers.

Question 34

The use of virtual servers is growing rapidly because virtualization can save millions of dollars per year in capital and operating expenses.

Question 35

Each central processing unit (CPU) produces a series of electronic pulses at a predetermined rate, called the clock speed, which affects machine cycle time.

Question 36

Virtual tape technology can decrease data access time, lower the total cost of ownership, and reduce the amount of floor space consumed by tape operations.

Question 37

Software as a Service (SaaS) allows businesses to subscribe to Web-delivered business application software by paying a monthly service charge or a per use fee.

Question 38

When dealing with large multinational or global organizations, vendors often sell their software programs to the organizations but then outsource the technical support to local, third-party distributors.

Question 39

Massively parallel processing systems are a form of multiprocessing that speeds processing by linking hundreds or thousands of processors to operate at the same time.

Question 40

Your friend has a Mac that runs OS X. If she needs to run a Windows app on it, she can set it to run Windows also.

Question 41

A type of memory whose contents are not lost if the power is turned off or interrupted is said to be _____.

A)unarbitrary
B)nonvolatile
C) inaccessible
D) nonadjacent

Question 42

The use of middleware to connect disparate systems has evolved into an approach for developing software and systems called _____.

A)cloud computing
B)rapid application development
C) service-oriented architecture
D) Software as a Service

Question 43

One of the advantages of off-the-shelf software is that ________________.

A)an organization does not have to pay for features that are not required and never used
B)​the software always matches current work processesand data standards
C) the initial cost is lower because the software firm can spread the development costs over many customers
D) the software contains important features, thus
Eliminating the need for future modification
And customization

Question 44

Software that allows an individual to create a to-do list, take notes, and organize tasks in a database would be classified as having a personal sphere of influence.

Question 45

One advantage of proprietary software versus off-the-shelf software is that _____.

A)the initial cost is lower
B)the software is likely to meet the basic business needs that are common across organizations
C) the software is likely to be of high quality because many customer firms have tested the software and helped identify its bugs
D) the software provides a company a competitive advantage by solving problems in a unique manner

Question 46

New cars come with an onboard computer that controls anti-lock brakes, air bag deployment, fuel injection, etc. The software is known as ____.

A)a multi-user system
B)an embedded system
C) an enterprise system
D) mobile application software

Question 47

CPU clock speed is the _______________ at a predetermined rate.

A)number of instructions processed
B)number of electronic pulses created
C) number of files created
D) number of memory pages loaded

Question 48

Secondary storage can store large amounts of data, instructions, and information more permanently than allowed with main memory.

Question 49

Which of the following types of credit cards is currently diminishing in popularity and being replaced by the other three types?

A)​magnetic stripe
B)​chip card
C) ​smart card
D) ​contactless payment card

Question 50

All of the following are examples of activities performed by an operating system EXCEPT ________.

A)​allowing a user to manage system memory
B)​allowing a user to control common computer hardware functions
C) ​allowing a user to manage files
D) ​allowing a user to do word processing

Question 51

An operating system with _____ capabilities allows a user to run more than one program concurrently.

A)networking
B)hardware independence
C) memory management
D) multitasking

Question 52

One of the disadvantages of proprietary software is that ______________.

A)it is hard to control results even if one is involved in the development of software
B)it can take a long time and significant resources to develop the required software features
C) it does not allow modification of features
That one might need to counteract an initiative by competitors
D) it is difficult to achieve what is required in terms of features and reports

Question 53

_____ is a storage technology that is primarily used only for backups.

A)Magnetic disk
B)Compact disc
C) Magnetic tape
D) Cache memory

Question 54

_____ is a program concerned with the efficient and environmentally responsible design, manufacture, operation, and disposal of IS-related products.

A)Green computing
B)Grid computing
C) Cloud computing
D) Utility computing

Question 55

Which of the following is a smart way to reduce the impact of software bugs on your own computing?

A)​Register the software programs you buy so that you receive bug alerts, fixes, and patches.
B)​Install the latest software updates
C) ​Check the read-me files or online support Web site for patches and other solutions.
D) ​All of these answers

Question 56

A _____ is a low-cost, centrally managed computer with no internal or external attached drives for data storage with limited capabilities.

A)nettop computer
B)cloud computer
C) thin client
D) workstation

Question 57

A(n) _____ device provides data and instructions to the computer and receives results from it.

A)back-side
B)expansion
C) internal
D) input/output

Question 58

_____ is a personal application software that includes a wide range of built-in functions for statistical, financial, logical, database, graphics, and date and time calculations.

A)Word processing
B)Desktop Publishing (DTP)
C) Spreadsheet
D) Graphics

Question 59

_____ is the use of a collection of computers, often owned by many people or different organizations, to work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem.

A)Cloud computing
B)Grid computing
C) Parallel computing
D) Web computing

Question 60

Carson's supervisor has asked him to review a variety of portable computers for possible purchase for their company's employees. Which of the following should Carson NOT consider buying?

A)laptops
B)notebooks
C) nettops
D) tablets

Question 61

A(n) _____ is a defect in a computer program that keeps it from performing as its users expect it to perform.

Question 62

_____ is an open-source operating system whose source code is freely available to everyone.

A)Linux
B)Mac OS X
C) Chrome
D) Unix

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT an example of a common use of a point-of-sale (POS) device?

A)​A server in a restaurant uses a POS to communicate a diner's order to the kitchen.
B)​A nurse in a hospital uses a POS to enter a patient's vital signs into his records.
C) ​A barrista in a coffee store uses a POS to record a sale of some bakery items.
D) ​A teller in a bank uses a POS to withdraw money for a customer.

Question 64

Which of the following statements is NOT true about a mainframe computer?

A)A single computer with a single user istypical of a mainframe computer.
B)A mainframe computer provides the computing and storage capacity to meet massive data processing requirements.
C) A mainframe computer offers users high performance and excellent system availability.
D) A wide range of application software has been developed to run in the mainframe environment.

Question 65

Kendra is taking a class in Finance and she has been asked to give a speech about a case study in which she's been working. She wants to create a set of slides containing a summary of her study notes that she will project on a screen while she's speaking. Which type of personal application software should she use to create her slides?

A)​word processing
B)​database
C) ​spreadsheet analysis
D) ​presentation graphics

Question 66

The component of a computer that provides the CPU with a working storage area for program instructions and data is called the __________.

A)main memory
B)input/output device
C) bus
D) processor

Question 67

_____ are used in standardized tests, including the SAT and GMAT tests, and to record votes in elections.

A)Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) devices
B)Optical mark recognition (OMR) systems
C) Speech recognition devices
D) Optical character recognition (OCR) systems

Question 68

Today's mobile phones and some PCs use a touch user interface called a _____ to allow people to control the personal computer.

A)multiprocessing user interface
B)command-based user interface
C) speech recognition user interface
D) natural user interface

Question 69

Globally, spending on _____ now exceeds other categories of IT expenditures.

A)​hardware
B)​software
C) ​servers
D) ​operating systems

Question 70

All of the following are examples of someone using personal productivity software EXCEPT _________.

A)​Shawna creating an electronic to-do list for the weekend
B)​Mark entering appointments into his online calendar
C) ​Callie entering a customer's order into a restaurant's ordering system
D) Brandon recording the number of miles he's run each day on his exercise tracker ​

Question 71

_____ are used to support engineering and technical users who perform heavy mathematical computing, computer-assisted design (CAD), video editing, and other applications requiring a high-end processor.

A)Desktops
B)Netbooks
C) Workstations
D) Notebooks

Question 72

An information system that operates in the _____ sphere of influence supports two or more people who work together to achieve a common goal.

A)personal
B)workgroup
C) enterprise
D) social

Question 73

__________ programming language is the precursor to languages such as C++, C#, and Java.

Question 74

A global positioning system (GPS) device uses a(n) _____ to help people find their way around town or more remote areas.

A)user software
B)integrated development environment
C) personal productivity software
D) embedded system

Question 75

For most companies, the spheres of influence are _____, workgroup, and enterprise.

Question 76

Helen is 72 years old and is a retired school teacher on a fixed income. She would like to buy a new computer so that she can communicate via email, follow friends and family on social media, and occasionally access recipes and gardening tips from the Web. An important thing to consider is that Helen has arthritis in her hands, making it difficult for her to work with small buttons and gadgets. So, of the following options, her best choice is probably a(n) ________.

A)smartphone
B)e-book
C) desktop
D) nettop

Question 77

The _____ is the heart of the operating system and controls its most critical processes.

A)user interface
B)register
C) kernel
D) cache

Question 78

_____ are the most powerful computers with the fastest processing speed and highest performance.

A)Blade servers
B)Workstations
C) Mainframe computers
D) Supercomputers

Question 79

3D printing is ________.

A)printing illusions on paper
B)​ used to make solid products
C) for kids to play with
D) the same as 2D printing

Question 80

A _____ is a climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of buildings that houses the computer hardware that delivers an organization's data and information services.

A)data mart
B)data warehouse
C) data center
D) data mine